All hail the rising average age of the 'world's most beautiful women'

Julia Roberts was named the most beautiful woman in the world this year by People magazine. (Photo: Getty Images)

According to new research conducted by the Boston University School of Medicine, the average age of the world’s “most beautiful people” has risen from 33 to 38.

Scientists analyzed the celebrities listed in People magazine’s “World’s Most Beautiful” list in 1990 and then compared the findings to those listed in 2017’s issue. The results indicate that three decades ago, the average age of the most beautiful celebrities was 33.2 — whereas this year, it’s at 38.9.

This year’s list included celebrities such as Michelle Pfeiffer (59) and Julia Roberts (49), who just so happens to have been voted the most beautiful woman in the world.

Michelle Pfeiffer appeared on both the 1990 and 2017 lists. (Photo: Getty Images)

Both actresses also appeared in the 1990 list, therefore suggesting that the A-listers have been fundamental in changing Hollywood’s portrayal of age.

Neelam Vashi, leader of the research project and director of the Boston University Center for Ethnic Skin at Boston University School of Medicine, wrote in the JAMA Dermatology journal, “The mass media platform has for years introduced certain criteria for what constitutes beauty.”

She continued, “Through an examination of the WMB (World’s Most Beautiful) issue of People, we found that these beauty standards are evolving as people learn how to integrate the effects of media with exposure to new cultures and different norms.”

Although we have a long way to go in breaking down the pejorative stereotypes surrounding age in Hollywood, the findings prove we are a step closer to combating ageism in the industry.